US20070181567A1 - Electromagnetically shielded induction heating apparatus - Google Patents

Electromagnetically shielded induction heating apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US20070181567A1
US20070181567A1 US11/650,752 US65075207A US2007181567A1 US 20070181567 A1 US20070181567 A1 US 20070181567A1 US 65075207 A US65075207 A US 65075207A US 2007181567 A1 US2007181567 A1 US 2007181567A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
enclosure
magnetic field
workpiece
electrically conductive
conductive material
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/650,752
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English (en)
Inventor
Jean Lovens
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Inductotherm Corp
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US11/650,752 priority Critical patent/US20070181567A1/en
Assigned to INDUCTOTHERM CORP. reassignment INDUCTOTHERM CORP. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: LOVENS, JEAN
Publication of US20070181567A1 publication Critical patent/US20070181567A1/en
Priority to US12/347,653 priority patent/US20090107990A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B6/00—Heating by electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields
    • H05B6/02—Induction heating
    • H05B6/10—Induction heating apparatus, other than furnaces, for specific applications
    • H05B6/101—Induction heating apparatus, other than furnaces, for specific applications for local heating of metal pieces
    • H05B6/103—Induction heating apparatus, other than furnaces, for specific applications for local heating of metal pieces multiple metal pieces successively being moved close to the inductor
    • H05B6/104—Induction heating apparatus, other than furnaces, for specific applications for local heating of metal pieces multiple metal pieces successively being moved close to the inductor metal pieces being elongated like wires or bands
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B6/00—Heating by electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields
    • H05B6/02—Induction heating
    • H05B6/22—Furnaces without an endless core
    • H05B6/24—Crucible furnaces
    • H05B6/26—Crucible furnaces using vacuum or particular gas atmosphere

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to an electric induction heating apparatus wherein a gas-tight enclosure isolates a workpiece from the surrounding environment while an induction heating means located outside of the enclosure inductively heats the workpiece within the enclosure.
  • a prior art induction heating apparatus comprises an induction means and a non-metallic gas-tight enclosure disposed around a continuous moving product, such as a metal strip or wire.
  • the gas-tight enclosure is thermally and electrically insulated and surrounds the moving product with a non-conductive enclosure.
  • the induction means is located around the outside of the enclosure and is connected to a suitable ac power source so that a magnetic field is established around the induction means when ac current flows through the induction means. The field couples with the moving product and inductively heats the product.
  • the non-conductive gas-tight enclosure must extend a sufficient distance (at least 200 mm) upstream and downstream of the induction means, parallel to the direction of the moving product, to create a region that encloses the magnetic field upstream and downstream of the enclosure. At least in installations where fitting of the gas-tight enclosure in the induction heating line is tight, this requirement creates an extended distance that is a problem, particularly when the enclosure is attached to an upstream or downstream processing chamber that is constructed of an electrically conductive material. Moreover high power induction means generate high intensity electromagnetic fields that typically require much longer distances upstream and downstream to avoid induced heating of connected chambers or fittings used to connect the chambers together. Further when the gas-tight enclosure is used as an intermediate chamber between upstream and downstream processing chambers, in some applications thermal heating of the upstream or downstream chamber can exert compression forces on the intermediate chamber.
  • the present invention is an induction heating apparatus and method for inductively heating a strip or other workpiece moving through a substantially gas-tight enclosure.
  • Induction means are located around the outside of the enclosure to carry an ac current for generating a magnetic field that penetrates the enclosure and inductively heats the workpiece passing through the enclosure.
  • the enclosure comprises a non-electrically conductive material to permit coupling of the magnetic field with the workpiece passing through the enclosure and an electromagnetic shield material for restricting the regions of the magnetic field.
  • the induction heating apparatus is of particular advantage when used as an intermediate heating chamber that is joined on either side to a process chamber that is constructed, at least in part, of an electrically conductive material.
  • the gas-tight enclosure may comprise a non-electrically conductive material and an electromagnetic shunt may be placed around the induction means outside of the enclosure to restrict the magnetic field upstream and downstream of the induction means.
  • the gas-tight enclosure may comprise a non-electrically conductive material that includes one or more flexible elements to compensate for thermal expansion of one or more connected chambers.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the induction heating apparatus of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 through line A-A in FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one example of an induction heating apparatus of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of another example of an induction heating apparatus of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of another example of an induction heating apparatus of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of another example of an induction heating apparatus of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of another example of an induction heating apparatus of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the example of the induction heating apparatus of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and adjacent processing chambers.
  • FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another example of the induction heating apparatus of the present invention and one or more adjacent processing chambers.
  • FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another example of the induction heating apparatus of the present invention and one or more adjacent processing chambers.
  • FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another example of the induction heating apparatus of the present invention and one or more adjacent processing chambers.
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of another example of the induction heating apparatus of the present invention and one or more adjacent processing chambers.
  • FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 one example of the induction heating apparatus of the present invention.
  • Gas-tight enclosure 12 provides a means for substantially enclosing workpiece 90 from the surrounding environment as the workpiece passes through the enclosure in the direction indicated by the arrow (establishing an upstream and downstream orientation through the enclosure).
  • Induction means 14 or 14 a is located outside of enclosure 12 and is connected to a suitable ac power supply 82 so that current flowing through the induction means establishes a magnetic field (represented by typical flux lines 92 —shown as dashed lines) that magnetically couples with strip 90 as it passes through the enclosure to inductively heat the strip.
  • a magnetic field represented by typical flux lines 92 —shown as dashed lines
  • Enclosure 12 comprises non-electrically conductive material 12 a and electromagnetic shield material 12 b.
  • the non-electrically conductive material is used at least in the regions of the enclosure where the magnetic field passes to couple with the workpiece as it passes through the enclosure.
  • the electromagnetic shield material is used at least in the regions of the enclosure where the magnetic field extends upstream and downstream of the induction means, thereby restricting the upstream and downstream travel of the magnetic field and substantially decreasing the overall length of the induction heating apparatus.
  • the “L-shaped” electromagnetic shield material of enclosure 12 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is one non-limiting arrangement that can be used in the induction heating apparatus of the present invention.
  • the upstream and downstream electromagnetic shield regions of enclosure 12 only need to be of sufficient size and shape to restrict the magnetic field from extending upstream or downstream of the enclosure.
  • electromagnetic shield material 12 b ′ can be arcuate as shown in FIG. 3 .
  • gas-tight enclosure 12 of the present invention is used as an intermediate induction heating chamber between upstream and/or downstream process chamber 20 a and/or chamber 20 b (shown in partial cross sections), respectively, which have regions adjacent to enclosure 12 that may be composed, at least in part, of an electrically conductive material.
  • the electromagnetic shield material can comprise an electrically conductive material, such as a copper or an aluminum composition plate, or a high or medium magnetic permeability material, such as but not limited to, MuMetal formed in a sheet, foil or mesh, and electrically grounded, as suitable for a particular application.
  • an electrically conductive material such as a copper or an aluminum composition plate
  • a high or medium magnetic permeability material such as but not limited to, MuMetal formed in a sheet, foil or mesh, and electrically grounded, as suitable for a particular application.
  • the enclosure is substantially gas-tight in that openings must be provided for pass through of the workpiece, and can be thermally insulated to retain heat in the enclosure.
  • the enclosure may optionally include means for injecting a gaseous composition into the enclosure and/or means for evacuating a gaseous composition from the chamber.
  • the enclosure may include additional structural elements that the magnetic field coupling with the workpiece does not pass through.
  • the utilized heating inductor, or induction means 14 may be any type of heating inductor, including but not limited to, one or more inductors shaped as coils or sheets, connected in series and/or parallel, wherein the one or more inductors generate longitudinal or transverse flux fields.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates one example of the present invention wherein solenoidal coil 14 a is the induction means.
  • Coil 14 a surrounds enclosure 12 and uses coil terminations 11 a and 11 b for suitable connection to ac power supply 82 . Current from the supply generates the magnetic field around the coil that couples with the workpiece to inductively heat the workpiece.
  • the induction means may comprise a coil pair with the coil pair positioned on opposing sides of the enclosure to produce a transverse flux field, or any other suitable coil arrangement.
  • top and bottom enclosure sealing elements 12 c and 12 d (not shown installed on the upstream end of the enclosure) over and under the magnetic shield material may be composed of any suitable material. Depending upon the arrangement, an electrically conductive material may be preferred.
  • non-electrically conductive material 12 a extends perpendicularly to the surface of strip 90 ; other examples of the invention, the non-electrically conductive material may also end perpendicular to the edges of the strip.
  • the gas-tight enclosure may comprise a non-electrically conductive material 12 a ′′ in which electromagnetic shield material 12 b ′′ is disposed as shown in FIG. 4 .
  • electromagnetic shield material 12 b may extend along the length of the induction means to restrict the magnetic field in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the workpiece as shown in FIG. 5 .
  • FIG. 6 illustrates another example of the induction heating apparatus of present invention wherein the enclosure comprises non-electrically conductive materially 12 a and electromagnetic shunt 84 , which is sufficiently disposed around induction means 14 to restrict the upstream and downstream penetration of the magnetic field when an ac current flows through the induction means.
  • electromagnetic shunts may be combined with electromagnetic shield material as disclosed above.
  • FIG. 8 through FIG. 11 illustrate non-limiting examples of the induction heating apparatus of the present invention wherein the non-electrically conductive material 13 a of gas-tight enclosure 13 includes one or more flexible features that permit the gas-tight enclosure to withstand thermal expansion in the upstream and downstream directions.
  • This is of particular advantage when the gas-tight enclosure is connected to an upstream and/or downstream process chamber, as illustrated by downstream process chamber 20 c (shown in partial cross section) in FIG. 8 .
  • adjacent chamber 20 c is connected to enclosure 13 by connecting element 94 ′, which may be, for example, a stainless steel flange.
  • the opposing upstream end of enclosure 13 may also be connected to an upstream process chamber (not shown in the figures) by connecting element 94 ′′.
  • the flexible feature of non-electrically conductive material 13 a is V-shaped element 13 a ′ disposed at the opposing ends of the non-electrically conductive material.
  • Connecting elements 94 ′ and/or 94 ′′ can be arranged so that they move in the upstream and downstream directions as enclosure 13 reacts to thermal effects on the adjacent chambers.
  • the flexible feature of the non-electrically conductive material 13 a is sloped element 13 a ′′ disposed at the opposing ends of the non-electrically conductive material.
  • electromagnetic shield material may be provided at least in the regions of enclosure where the magnetic field extends upstream and downstream of the induction means; optionally, as illustrated by electromagnetic shield material 13 b in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 , the material may also be provided along the length of the induction means to restrict the magnetic field in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the workpiece.
  • FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 illustrate use of V-shaped element 13 a ′ and sloped element 13 a ′, respectively, with a gas-tight enclosure that utilizes one or more electromagnetic shunts 84 similar to the example of the invention illustrated in FIG. 6 and described above.
  • V-shaped element 13 a ′ and slopped element 13 a ′′ represent two non-limiting examples of a flexible feature for the non-electrically conductive material of a gas-tight enclosure.
  • a defined quantity of flexible features are illustrated in these figures, the number of flexible features in a particular example of the invention will depend upon the application. Further the flexible features of the non-electrically conductive material illustrated in these figures may be incorporated into other examples of the invention.
  • workpiece 90 may comprise a continuous workpiece, such as a strip or wire, or multiple discrete workpieces suitably fed through the enclosure, for example, by a conveyor system.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • General Induction Heating (AREA)
  • Shielding Devices Or Components To Electric Or Magnetic Fields (AREA)
US11/650,752 2006-01-09 2007-01-08 Electromagnetically shielded induction heating apparatus Abandoned US20070181567A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/650,752 US20070181567A1 (en) 2006-01-09 2007-01-08 Electromagnetically shielded induction heating apparatus
US12/347,653 US20090107990A1 (en) 2006-01-09 2008-12-31 Electromagnetically Shielded Induction Heating Apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US75735506P 2006-01-09 2006-01-09
US11/650,752 US20070181567A1 (en) 2006-01-09 2007-01-08 Electromagnetically shielded induction heating apparatus

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/347,653 Division US20090107990A1 (en) 2006-01-09 2008-12-31 Electromagnetically Shielded Induction Heating Apparatus

Publications (1)

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US20070181567A1 true US20070181567A1 (en) 2007-08-09

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Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/650,752 Abandoned US20070181567A1 (en) 2006-01-09 2007-01-08 Electromagnetically shielded induction heating apparatus
US12/347,653 Abandoned US20090107990A1 (en) 2006-01-09 2008-12-31 Electromagnetically Shielded Induction Heating Apparatus

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US12/347,653 Abandoned US20090107990A1 (en) 2006-01-09 2008-12-31 Electromagnetically Shielded Induction Heating Apparatus

Country Status (8)

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US (2) US20070181567A1 (de)
EP (1) EP1974588A4 (de)
JP (1) JP2009522816A (de)
KR (1) KR20080092416A (de)
CN (1) CN101401485A (de)
AU (1) AU2007204999A1 (de)
RU (1) RU2403687C2 (de)
WO (1) WO2007081918A2 (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090255924A1 (en) * 2008-04-14 2009-10-15 Jean Lovens Variable Width Transverse Flux Electric Induction Coils
US20120312805A1 (en) * 2010-02-19 2012-12-13 Kenji Umetsu Transverse flux induction heating device
US10292210B2 (en) 2010-02-19 2019-05-14 Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation Transverse flux induction heating device
EP4271129A1 (de) * 2022-04-29 2023-11-01 SMS Elotherm GmbH Vorrichtung zur induktiven erwärmung zumindest eines werkstücks sowie verfahren zur induktiven erwärmung zumindest eines werkstücks

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5526138B2 (ja) 2008-09-28 2014-06-18 インダクトサーム・コーポレイション 開放可能な誘導コイル及び電磁気的に遮蔽された誘導組立体
US9400136B2 (en) * 2010-05-25 2016-07-26 Inductotherm Corp. Electric induction gas-sealed tunnel furnace
CN104004981B (zh) * 2014-06-05 2016-04-13 湖南湘投金天钛金属有限公司 一种冷轧钛带卷真空感应直接加热退火装置

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4962291A (en) * 1988-09-07 1990-10-09 Daido Tokushuko Kabushiki Kaisha Apparatus for production metal powder having a shielded runner nozzle gate
US5257281A (en) * 1990-01-31 1993-10-26 Inductotherm Corp. Induction heating apparatus and method
US6121592A (en) * 1998-11-05 2000-09-19 Inductotherm Corp. Induction heating device and process for the controlled heating of a non-electrically conductive material
US20040007568A1 (en) * 2002-07-09 2004-01-15 Fishman Oleg S. Bonding of materials with induction heating
US20050006120A1 (en) * 2003-06-26 2005-01-13 Jean Lovens Electromagnetic shield for an induction heating coil

Family Cites Families (6)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4043722A (en) * 1975-05-09 1977-08-23 Reynolds Metals Company Apparatus for heat curing electrical insulation provided on a central electrical conductor of an electrical cable
FR2520856A1 (fr) * 1982-02-03 1983-08-05 Clemessy Sa Four industriel a induction pour le chauffage de produits longs disposes en nappe
US5844213A (en) * 1990-01-31 1998-12-01 Inductotherm Corp. Induction heating coil assembly for prevention of circulating currents in induction heating lines for continuous-cast products
FR2752134B1 (fr) * 1996-08-02 2003-12-26 Selas Sa Dispositif de chauffage par induction et installation de traitement thermique en continu comportant un tel dispositif
FR2821925B1 (fr) * 2001-03-06 2003-05-16 Celes Enceinte d'etancheite au gaz et au vide d'isolation thermique destinee a un dispositif de chauffage par induction
FR2852187A1 (fr) * 2003-03-07 2004-09-10 Celes Dispositif de chauffage par induction d'une bande metallique

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4962291A (en) * 1988-09-07 1990-10-09 Daido Tokushuko Kabushiki Kaisha Apparatus for production metal powder having a shielded runner nozzle gate
US5257281A (en) * 1990-01-31 1993-10-26 Inductotherm Corp. Induction heating apparatus and method
US6121592A (en) * 1998-11-05 2000-09-19 Inductotherm Corp. Induction heating device and process for the controlled heating of a non-electrically conductive material
US20040007568A1 (en) * 2002-07-09 2004-01-15 Fishman Oleg S. Bonding of materials with induction heating
US20050006120A1 (en) * 2003-06-26 2005-01-13 Jean Lovens Electromagnetic shield for an induction heating coil

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090255924A1 (en) * 2008-04-14 2009-10-15 Jean Lovens Variable Width Transverse Flux Electric Induction Coils
US9445460B2 (en) * 2008-04-14 2016-09-13 Inductotherm Corp. Variable width transverse flux electric induction coils
US20160381737A1 (en) * 2008-04-14 2016-12-29 Inductotherm Corp. Variable Width Transverse Flux Electric Induction Coils
US9930730B2 (en) * 2008-04-14 2018-03-27 Inductotherm Corp. Variable width transverse flux electric induction coils
US20120312805A1 (en) * 2010-02-19 2012-12-13 Kenji Umetsu Transverse flux induction heating device
US9578693B2 (en) * 2010-02-19 2017-02-21 Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation Transverse flux induction heating device
US10085306B2 (en) 2010-02-19 2018-09-25 Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation Transverse flux induction heating device
US10292210B2 (en) 2010-02-19 2019-05-14 Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation Transverse flux induction heating device
US10327287B2 (en) * 2010-02-19 2019-06-18 Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation Transverse flux induction heating device
EP4271129A1 (de) * 2022-04-29 2023-11-01 SMS Elotherm GmbH Vorrichtung zur induktiven erwärmung zumindest eines werkstücks sowie verfahren zur induktiven erwärmung zumindest eines werkstücks
WO2023208805A1 (de) * 2022-04-29 2023-11-02 Sms Elotherm Gmbh Vorrichtung zur induktiven erwärmung zumindest eines werkstücks sowie verfahren zur induktiven erwärmung zumindest eines werkstücks

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN101401485A (zh) 2009-04-01
EP1974588A2 (de) 2008-10-01
US20090107990A1 (en) 2009-04-30
AU2007204999A1 (en) 2007-07-19
KR20080092416A (ko) 2008-10-15
EP1974588A4 (de) 2011-06-22
WO2007081918A2 (en) 2007-07-19
RU2008132812A (ru) 2010-02-20
WO2007081918A3 (en) 2008-08-21
RU2403687C2 (ru) 2010-11-10
JP2009522816A (ja) 2009-06-11

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AS Assignment

Owner name: INDUCTOTHERM CORP., NEW JERSEY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LOVENS, JEAN;REEL/FRAME:019242/0088

Effective date: 20070329

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: EXPRESSLY ABANDONED -- DURING EXAMINATION